Staunton on Wye Group Parish Council – 13 July 2026
These are DRAFT MINUTES and should not be relied upon. Approved minutes will be published immediately after they are approved.
STAUNTON ON WYE GROUP
PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of an extraordinary meeting of Staunton on Wye Group Parish Council called by the Chairman under the provisions of Standing Order 6 (a) held on Monday 13th July 2026 at 7 p.m. at Staunton on Wye Village Hall, Staunton on Wye, Herefordshire.
PRESENT: Councillor Nigel Sellar (Chairman) and Councillors Annette Andrews, Barabra Arthur, Loraine Boddington, Michael Jones, Wendy Shepherd and Stephen Williams.
In attendance: David Thame (Clerk)
Councillor Robert Highfield (Herefordshire, Castle Ward)
12 members of the public.
2026/25. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Councillor Pearson-Gregory. Councillors Price and Skyrme were absent.
2026/26. Declarations of Interest/Requests for Dispensations
Councillors Sellar, Andrews and Williams declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in item 29 by virtue of being trustees of a charity owning the adjoining site.
The Clerk reported the receipt of request for dispensations to remain present, or to speak or to vote, from Councillors Sellar, Andrews and Williams. There being a sufficient number of unconflicted councillors present to form a quorum he recommended the dispensations should not be granted and it was RESOLVED accordingly.
2026/27. Chairman’s Announcements
The Chairman invited Councillor Highfield to report briefly.
On the motion of the Chairman, it was agreed to vary the agenda to bring forward items on noticeboards and quarterly verification of accounts.
2026/28. Noticeboards
The Council considered the refurbishment and locations of parish council noticeboards. The Chairman reported that the Village Hall was not prepared to allow the Council to affix a noticeboard adjacent to the existing noticeboards, as had been previously the Council’s preference, without payment of an annual rent, with an uplift reflecting the rising precept each year. After discussion it was RESOLVED that the Clerk, in consultation with councillors, seek to place the board either adjacent to the bus stop, or attached to the telephone box in the Council’s ownership.
2026/29. Quarterly Verification of Bank Reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Boddington to to conduct the verification of bank reconciliation to 30th June 2026.
Councillors Sellar, Andrews and Williams left the meeting.
Councillor Jones (Vice Chair) took the Chair.
2026/30. Public Session
A member of the public expressed disappointment that the Parish Council preferred not to pay a rent to the village hall for the site of the noticeboard.
A member of the public spoke about the privacy and overlooking implications of the proposed development at land at Bliss Hall Farm.
A member of the public spoke about the traffic management implications of developmnt at land at Bliss Hall Farm, on the development overlooking existing properties, on the weakness of traffic evidence which ought to focus on the 7-9am period, and pointed out that the development was in a field locally known as Spring Field, so named because of its ground water.
A member of the public suggested that the proposed development at land at Bliss Hall Farm could be re-aligned away from the highway, and towards the field boundary, in order to reduce its impact on overlooking.
A member of the public commented adversely on the building design/facades on the proposed development at bliss Hall Farm.
A member of the public spoke about road safety problems caused by single track roads and lack of pavement, particularly during school drop-off/pick up times, and the profound risk of a child being injured.
A member of the public spoke of the undesirability of scattered development.
A member of the public expressed concern about achieving highways splays at the land at Bliss Hall Farm, and the likely loss of hedgerows as a result.
A member of the public spoke of the potential for a one-way system in the village to control road traffic on single-track roads.
A member of the public expressed concern that further development accessed from the C1090 would lead to a dangerous increase in use of School Lane.
2026/31. Planning Consultation – 261792 – Land at Bliss Hall Farm, Staunton-on-Wye, Hereford, HR4 7NA
The Council considered the planning consultation for the erection of six dwellings and associated works, including; a new vehicular and pedestrian access, infiltration pond, other drainage infrastructure, landscape enhancements, and BNG creation. The Clerk drew attention to the relevant submissions from the applicant, described the planning history and policy context.
After discussion it was RESOLVED that the Council objects to application 261792 pending satisfactory answers to its concerns without which it is unclear whether it can be regarded as a sustainable development, as follows:
(a) The implications for traffic management at peak hours and the necessity for a safe solution, including the creation of passing places;
(b) The achievement of an adequate highways splay without the loss of hedgerows and the important habitat they provide;
(c) The absence of a heritage impact statement taking into account locally significant buildings/non- designated heritage assets, including John’s Chapel and Wren’s Nest;
(d) further analysis of ground water on the development site (Spring Field) which is known to supply wells with rising ground water;
(e) further analysis of and protection for environmental outcomes, including analysis of the root protection area for trees on adjoining trees, such as the mature copper beech at Wren’s Nest, and a further review of biodiversity given local reports of protected species such as hares and sparrowhawks in the immediate vicinity;
(f) the topography and gradient is likely to lead to overlooking/privacy concerns, both for residents of the new development at at John’s Chapel; and
(g) the extent to which a realignment of the development, with some properties placed on the field boundary rather than aligned with the highway, could resolve these concerns.
The meeting closed at 8.16 p.m.
Confirmed as a correct record:
Signed _____________________________________ Date _____________________________
